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Writing Center Workshops: Prewriting Methods. Alexandra Alberda Writing Center Mentor. The Writing Process. Prewriting Planning Drafting Revising Proofreading
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Writing Center Workshops:Prewriting Methods Alexandra Alberda Writing Center Mentor
The Writing Process • Prewriting • Planning • Drafting • Revising • Proofreading Prewriting is the thinking stage. It starts when you get your assignment and can be returned to throughout your writing process.
Five Quick Takes on Writing • Take it one step at a time. • Take it seriously. • Take it easy. • Take it to the limit. • Take it with you.
Prewriting: “Gathering the Ingredients” • Once you are given a paper topic your mind starts to gather information. Prewriting methods can help “jump-start” your writing process by gathering your thoughts and getting them into a written draft. • During this time, you can also be narrowing down your topic and/or which argument you are supporting.
Key Elements of Prewriting • Approach • Direction (thesis) or Shaping • NO revision • Focusing on specific/relevant details
Prewriting Methods • Brainstorming, a listing technique • Single list • Two-sided list (pros/cons) • Freewriting • Stream-of-consciousness • Focused Freewriting • Invisible Writing, a computer technique
Prewriting Methods • Clustering • Porcupine cluster • Molecule cluster • Outlining • Can be anything from a few words jotted down or it may include the thesis statement, topic sentences, a basic listing of research, etc. • Journal Writing, daily writing
Why Prewriting is Important • It opens a doorway to your thoughts. • It helps prevent writer’s block. • It builds confidence. • It sparks creativity. • It tells you when to quit.
Bibliography • Arlov, P. (2012). Wordsmith: A guide to college writing (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson. • Arlov, P. (2012). Wordsmith: A guide to paragraphs & short essays (5thed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Questions or Comments? If you would like to learn more or send us ideas our email is Writing.Center@briarcliff.edu or alexandra.alberda@briarcliff.edu